Latest news with #LeMans24Hours
NZ Autocar
3 days ago
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Will Alpine launch a hydrogen-powered supercar eventually?
Alpine is continuing with development of its hydrogen-powered Alpenglow concept, now evolved into the Hy4 prototype. First revealed in 2022, the Alpenglow's transformation into the Hy4 suggests Alpine is increasingly serious about hydrogen combustion technology. The Hy4, built on a Ligier LMP3 racing chassis, swaps the original single-seat layout for a more conventional two-seat set-up, suggesting a shift towards a road orientation. The Hy4 was set to debut at the World Endurance Championship in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium. However, an electrical fault prevented that. Alpine's design chief, Antony Villain, is still optimistic. He said that the Alpenglow was always envisioned for both road and track ends. Villain added that Alpine is considering a small production run of the hydrogen-powered supercar. He stressed that both hydrogen-combustion and battery-electric technologies are being pursued at present. Development was always aimed at eventual production, he said, calling the Alpenglow more of a 'programme' than a concept. Future versions will evolve with improved styling and added everyday utility. A critical part of this update is a new V6 hydrogen engine being developed entirely in-house by Alpine. It is set to replace the existing turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder sourced from motorsport partner Oreca. The new V6 should add both power and efficiency. The Hy4's range currently stands at around 100km at race pace. Le Mans racers generally run 10–20 laps of the 14km circuit before refueling so added efficiency is an imperative. Racing vehicles director François Champod stressed the engine will offer accessible, user-friendly power, unlike a high-revving F1 unit. There are still engineering challenges to overcome. Alpine's hydrogen engineer, Pierre-Jean Tardy, explained that while hydrogen combustion produces similar engine response and sound to petrol, it behaves differently. Running lean for efficiency and low NOx emissions leads to cooler exhaust gases, creating challenges for turbochargers, especially increased lag. In addition, hydrogen's wide flammability range complicates combustion control, increasing the risk of engine knock. Mixing hydrogen gas with air uniformly is another major stumbling block, especially at high engine speeds. Hydrogen is injected at very high velocities, making it harder to mix properly and increasing the risk of abnormal combustion. Temperature management within each combustion chamber must also be uniform to avoid reliability issues. Alpine acknowledges that its hydrogen-combustion technology is in its infancy. The V6 has only recently begun testing on a dynamometer. But the goal is to power the Alpenglow with hydrogen by year's end. While Alpine is eyeing entry into the hydrogen-combustion class at the 2027 Le Mans 24 Hours, it has not made a formal commitment yet. A road-going hydrogen car from Alpine remains a long-term possibility. Champod warned that the broader hydrogen infrastructure will determine its future. The current hydrogen refueling network can only support a limited number of vehicles. However, Renault Group's Hyvia venture, focused on hydrogen-powered vans, could aid infrastructure development. Trucks and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) are expected to lead the rollout of hydrogen stations, indirectly supporting niche vehicles like the Alpenglow. Fuel storage on board remains a significant challenge. Hydrogen tanks require more space than petrol equivalents—over 350 litres versus 50 litres—posing packaging problems. Moreover, Alpine insists hydrogen use must be 'clean' to justify its environmental benefits. That means only decarbonized hydrogen (with carbon capture) or green (via renewable-powered electrolysis).
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Cadillac unveils Wayne Taylor Racing's Le Mans livery
Cadillac unveiled the livery in which the Wayne Taylor Racing squad will make its maiden assault on the Le Mans 24 Hours next month. WTR's solo V-Series.R LMDh entered for the double-points round of the World Endurance Championship on 14-15 June will be backed by oil company Mobil 1. Advertisement The primary sponsorship by Mobil 1 of the Cadillac WTR Hypercar class entry follows the extension earlier this year of the partnership between Cadillac's new full-season representative in the WEC, the British Jota team which has moved across from running a pair of customer Porsche 963 LMDhs. It takes the place of DEX Imaging, the sponsor of WTR's two-car assault on the IMSA SportsCar Championship this year. The car was given a shakedown in its new livery at the Putnam Park circuit near Indianapolis last Friday prior to its shipment to Europe. The #101 WTR Caddy, to be raced by team founder Wayne Taylor's sons Ricky and Jordan and Filipe Albuquerque, is one of two additional entries from the General Motors brand at Le Mans this year. Advertisement It is joining Action Express Racing, which like WTR competes full time in IMSA. Action Express raced at Le Mans alongside Chip Ganassi Racing, which represented Cadillac in the WEC in 2023-24. Manufacturers contesting the full WEC are allowed to file additional entries for Le Mans, but do not score points with the extra cars. Mobil 1 strategic global alliance manager Tony Esposito said: 'This new livery reflects what our work with Cadillac is all about – performance, passion and pushing boundaries. 'We're thrilled to see it come to life on track at Le Mans, where our legacy in motorsport continues.' Jota's cars will retain the usual livery Jota's cars will retain the usual livery Paul Foster Paul Foster Advertisement Jota's pair of #12 and #38, will continue in the livery in which they have contested the opening three rounds of this year's WEC. The Action Express car, entered under the Cadillac Whelen banner, will run in the same colours as at Le Mans last year and with the race number #311 again. WTR is going to Le Mans for the first time with an impressive pedigree in North American endurance racing. It won the Daytona 24 Hours four times in five years between 2017 and 2021 with Cadillac and, in the last of those seasons, Acura, as well claiming Sebring 12 Hours victories with both manufacturers. Advertisement Wayne Taylor has made no secret that his desire to take a team he established in 2007 to Le Mans was one of the reasons for his return to the GM fold for this season after four years with Honda brand Acura in IMSA. He contested the race 13 times as a driver between 1987 and 2002, scoring a fourth on debut in the Kremer-run Porsche 962C and an LMP1 class victory driving a Doyle-Risi Racing Ferrari 333SP in 1998. To read more articles visit our website.
TimesLIVE
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Alpine to celebrate 70 years at Grand Rassemblement in Dieppe
Alpine will commemorate its 70th anniversary with a three-day celebration from May 30 to June 1 in Dieppe, France, the brand's historic hometown. Organised by the IDÉA Association, the gathering will include a mix of product showcases, public appearances and a parade expected to draw hundreds of vehicles. At the centre of the event is the debut of the Alpine A390, the French brand's first all-electric sport fastback. It's set to be built at the Manufacture Alpine Dieppe Jean Rédélé facility — named for the brand's founder. The A390 joins the A290, the electric hot hatch introduced during last year's Le Mans 24 Hours, as part of Alpine's transition towards electric vehicles (EVs). The A390 and the hydrogen-powered Alpenglow Hy6 prototype — last seen at the 2024 Paris Motor Show — will appear in a street parade through Dieppe on May 31. Alpine will also display the latest A110 line-up. This includes the A110 R70, a 770-unit limited edition marking the brand's anniversary, and A110 GTS, a new variant designed to balance road comfort with track performance. Both became available in France earlier this year. Visitors can also meet past and present Alpine drivers during autograph sessions on May 30. On June 1 a record-breaking parade of 700 Alpines will run along the former Dieppe circuit. For motorsport fans, the Spanish F1 Grand Prix will be screened live at the Alpine hospitality area.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
'Le Mans win is box I need to tick'
Ryan Cullen has experienced a lot in his racing career, but the Somerset-born Irishman believes he has the stamina to reach the top in endurance his focus away from a journey to Formula 1 has meant longer distances, durations ranging from four hours to 24 hours and a focus on stamina over speed. Now competing in the European Le Mans Series, Cullen is targeting a win in the most famous endurance race of them all, in which he has competed since 2019."[I want] to win Le Mans 24 Hours," he told BBC Radio Somerset. "I haven't won it and not many people can say it. I've won other endurance races but Le Mans is the tick in the box I need. "I'm pushing to the point where until I do it, I won't stop. It is the whole event; there could be 600,000 people there. The sheer mass of everyone there, the pressure."It is pretty electric; it is special to be on the track, on the main roads, with the history of everything with the long straights, the change of weather. "It brings out the best in drivers and the level is high. There are 60 cars, three drivers each; 180 drivers, there are some really good drivers in there."The 34-year-old's journey has unorthodox to say the least. While he showed racing prowess as a youngster, he stepped away from the sport in his teens before returning and beginning a journey towards Formula 1."My dad took me go-karting when I was four or five; I don't really remember it," he said. "He was working in Germany so I would go and see him and race against the workers. Apparently, I was as good as adults at that age, so he thought 'lets buy a go-kart and go club racing'."It got serious at 12 or 13; the karts were getting quicker, the professionalism was getting better and you really had to apply yourself."Then I took a bit of a break, went to school, did my GCSEs, played other sports and went back at it when I was 20. It is a bit of a jump; I was at a crossroads in my life. "When I was 20, I did my race license and went straight into British Formula 4, into the championships and did OK as a rookie. "I shocked myself, and then made another jump to F3. It was enough of a gamble for me to think, 'do I know what I'm doing?' I still had a natural feel to driving but had to relearn everything; it was tough because you are racing guys who have done it for two or three years." 'My hero' - competing with Rossi and Button Like many others, including some of motorsport's biggest names, he changed course and never looked back. He competes for Vector Sport, a British team based in Stratford, formed in 2021. It has been a mixed start to life there, but he has earned a couple of podiums. The team is second in the European Le Mans Series table after two races out of six this season."I raced with a good British Formula Ford team, then went on to Marussia F1 junior team, which was a big step. I raced against a lot of guys in that era who are now in F1 like Carlos Sainz, [Daniil] Kvyat," he said."The biggest jump in my career was F4 to F3, just by pure experience and the level everyone was at; you could generally go from that championship straight to F1."I never looked at [the endurance] side of motorsport when I was on the road to F1. A lot of drivers bring the level from other series; you can get guys from Formula 1, from NASCAR, even MotoGP. "It brings the level up so high; I'm on the track with some of my heroes like Valentino Rossi. I used to watch him with my dad; Jenson [Button] is on the grid, you get to meet some cool people."Although F1 remains the most popular sport, Cullen believes Le Mans' growing popularity can see that change."In the next three years [the sport] is going to peak quite a lot; it is so hard to know where it is all going to go, but this is the golden era of sports car racing and you go to one of these big endurance races, there are a lot of fans. "I'm surprised more fans watch endurance races than F1 because they can get so close to the fans and drivers and everything. I think they are doing a great job promoting the endurance side of racing."The likes of Button and Rossi continuing to race well into their 40s sets an example to Cullen, who still believes he has much more to give as he chases down success."There is longevity in the sport; experience counts for a lot. When you are doing 24-hour races, or even four, six, eight hours, you don't need to be always finding the extra tenths in yourself and the car," he said."I still feel young. I've always dreamt of being a driver so I feel like a kid when I'm back in the car. I still remember go-karting and how privileged I am. I keeps me youthful."
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
F1 and Le Mans winner Mass dies aged 78
Jochen Mass, who won the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix for McLaren, has died at the age of 78. The German passed away on Sunday because of complications following a stroke he suffered in February, his family announced. Mass, who competed in 114 Formula 1 grands prix and secured eight podium finishes, also won the Le Mans 24 Hours with Switzerland-based Sauber in 1989. "Today we mourn the loss of a husband, father, grandfather and a racing legend," his family said in a statement. "Beyond mourning his death, we also celebrate his incredible life. A life that he loved sharing with all of you. A life that he lived to the absolute fullest. "He is racing with all his friends again." Mass was the other driver in Gilles Villeneuve's fatal accident during qualifying for the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix at Zolder. Ferrari's Villeneuve came across Mass' March going slowly and a misunderstanding led to a collision. Mass was a mentor and driver coach on the Mercedes young driver programme during his final three years at Sauber, and helped Michael Schumacher before the future seven-time world champion entered F1. Mass finished his career with 32 world championship victories in sportscar racing with Alfa Romeo, Porsche and Sauber-Mercedes. From 1993 to 1997, Mass was a co-commentator on F1 for the German broadcaster RTL.
